First test, details and pictures of a sensational new car BMC's 1800 IS HERE! FroID DAVm PALMER in London room of a Holden or Falcon with 90 mph performance and fuel consumption of 35 mpg at a steady 60 mph. The 1800 is the star of the Earls Court Motor Show, and tends to overshadow another big BMC announce­ A. big b.'other to the 1100 - as big ment-the Mini range now has the Hydrolastic "fioat­ as tlf,e Hollie" and Falco" a"d just on-fluid" suspension of its big brothers. However, as fast - has jll,st been released in such is the stunning impact of the 1800 that it is the Britain. We b"i"g you exclusively new-car news of the year. How was it done? the first full test of the car. Take the BMC 1100, elongate it, widen the track, flt a larger engine, and let Farina style a graceful yet functional body, and you have the new Austin 1800-a sure fire winner all over the world, for it MC in Britain has just announced that its follows closely the so-successful Mini and 1100 in its B Mini range (sold here as the Morris 850) is design. to be built with Hydrolastic suspension from The "east-west" engine is a water cooled 4-cylinder now on. This, with the new 1800, now gives unit having a capacity of 1798 cc; overhead valves BMC a range of three cars, from 850 to 1800 cc, are operated by push-rods and the crankshaft has all using the transverse engine and float-on-fluid flve main bearings - which may be the start of principle. The system has proved itself com­ similar treatment for all BMC engines - and is fltted pletely trOUble-free, not only in tough Aus­ with a vibration damper. Bore size is 3.16 in (78.264 tralian conditions but everywhere in the world, mm), stroke 3.5 in. (88.9 mm), compression ratio 8.2 and should provide a great boost to the Aus­ to 1 (or 6.8 to 1 for some overseas territories) and the tralian sales of the baby car. The suspension engine produces 84 bhp (net) at 5300 rpm and 99lb/ft will cost about another £35 in Australia. The of torque at 2100 rpm, which is well down in the range Mini van will not get the Hydrolastic option, and provides quite sparkling acceleration through the however. well-spaced gears, together with a smoothness and It is not known when Australian 850s will be flexibility that is quite surprising for a four-cylinder fitted with the new suspension, as an Australian unit. manufacturer will have to be found for them, Drive from the engine through to the 4-speed all assuming BMC will contract for them outside synchromesh baulk ring gearbox (which is attached in instead of building them itself or risking an­ the now familiar way below the engine) is via a other rise in imported content by bringing in diaphragm spring clutch of 811 in. diameter, hydraulic­ the units from overseas. # ally actuated by a pendant-type pedal. The gear change mechanism, which is the one part of the BMC front wheel drive cars that has given trouble ever F the Morris 1100 was the car we were all waiting since the very first Minis, is of completely new design. I for, then the even more revolutionary Austin 1800, This time Issigonis has tried using three flexible cables just announced in Britain, is the one Australians running inside heavy duty casings and more will be have really been waiting for. This sensational car is said about this later when discussing road impressions. another, bigger, version of Alec Issigonis' transverse The gearbox ratios are: 1st, 3.292 to 1; 2nd, 2.217 to 1; engine and hydrolastic suspension theme, and pro­ 3rd, 1.384 to 1; top 1.0 to 1; and the final drive, which mises to be the one car to swing Australians away is also carried in the common transmission casing, is from their devotion to six-cylinder vehicles. While 4.188 to 1 standard with the option of 3.882 to 1. only a medium-sized car outSide, it has the interior An SU carburettor, type HS4, is fltted with a paper-

38 WHEELS, November. 1964 The sensational new Austin 1800; styling uses a grille reminiscent of the current Austin Cambridge, while rear treatment is slightly similar to Fiat 850.

Car's main feature is remarkable interior room, equal to that of Holden or Falcon. Four doors open wide, are equipped with bins, armrests and double locks.

)rmance 60 mph. )r Show, nounce­ c ":float­ iowever, it is the ? e track, graceful , Austin t, for it )0 in its

·cylinder 1 valves laft has start of is fltted l (78.264 ratio 8.2 and the L 99lb/ft le range !Ugh the .ess and ·cylinder

peed all ached in a:!" cleaner having a warm air intake above Oxford Series III ceased production in 1959. The .s via a :nanifold. An SU electric fuel pump, type two-spoke steering wheel has 4! turns from lock to rdraulic­ the fuel from the 10! gallon tank situated lock and the resilient final drive couplings and con­ he gear luggage boot floor. The cooling system is stant velocity universal joints in the drive shafts give and on the same lines as the 1100 models, low speed flexibility and transmission silence as well he BMC eroansion tank that makes regular checks as a smooth power passage at all steering angles. ble ever The front suspension comprises upper and lower 1 design. -er level unnecessary; the capacity is 8! te cables another pint for the heater. wishbone arms mounted at their inner ends to the will be hat should please a great number of strong suspension frame that is attached to the bulk­ ressions. BMC owners is that once again they can head (see sectional diagram) while their outer ends H7 to 1; a:n.ilv-sized car with rack and pinion steering, carry the king pin mast and hub assembly. The top e, which -!ia has not been possible since the Morris wishbone at its inner end has a right-angled lever asing, is ;0 1. 3. paper- '''fA: 13 =J1t---' SPECIAL TEST I

WHEELS. November. 19M 39 door pockets and a full width parcel shelf under the facia can carry all the odds and ends most families like to keep inside a car, while the rear window shelf gives another 5! sq ft of space. The facia is very sparse, conSisting of a ribbon-type speedometer with mileage recorder, combined with water temperature and fuel gauges, placed directly in front of the driver. There is a head/side lamp switch, ignition/starter switch, windscreen wiper switch, and warning lights that flash when the oil pressure is low, the oil filter blocked, or the dynamo not charging. A manually-operated plunger operates the windscreen washers. Along the top of the facia is a padded crash roll covered in black vinyl coated fabric to eliminate glare, while further crash rolls, similarly covered, run along the bottom of the facia and the front of the parcel shelf. In the centre of the facia is an ashtray, and two more are fltted to the rear of the front seats. Schematic illustration of the way the Hydrolastic A tinted driving mirror is set into a plastiC safety units are used in front wishbone suspension of 1800. frame, while the sun visors are of the crushable Disc brakes are self-adjusting, suspension life-sealed. variety. Both front seats are adjustable for leg reach and are covered in hide over rubber diaphragms and poly­ piece that butts against the knuckle end of the Hydro­ ether pads. At extra cost reclining front seats can be lastic unit operating strut. The other end of the strut had that when fully dropped can make up into a works the Hydrolastic displacer piston, the displacers double bed. Rear seats are also trimmed in hide over themselves being mounted horizontally across the car polyether pad interiors. The wide doors are hinged at inside the framework attached to the bulkhead. This their leading edges and have fully wind-down windows provides extra space under the bonnet and also inside of curved safety glass to give increased width at the car. shoulder level; both front doors have external locks At the rear the Hydrolastic displacers are mounted. while the rear doors have locks with childproof well ahead of the road wheels, in fact beneath the catches. The door casings are covered in vinyl treated rear seats, and the units are operated by trailing arms fabric, as is the roof lining, which is of moulded glass and long struts. Each Hydrolastic displacer is inter­ fibre in an effort to reduce road drumming. The rear connected front to rear by means of steel piping so doors have swivelling quarter lights, but there is no that the movement of the front wheels causes the need for these at the front due to the ventilating fluid to be pressurised inside the system and this system. acts in the opposite direction on the rear displacers, Front and rear curved screens are of toughened eliminating the pitching action of conventional sus­ safety glass carried in rubber mouldings. There are pensions. An anti-roll bar is fltted across the rear built-in seat belt anchorage pOints and provision for suspension to give added sta:bility at higher speeds. fitting radio. The luggage boot lid is spring-assisted Girling are responsible for the braking system, which and has concealed hinges and the spare wheel is consists of front discs of 9 in. diameter and 9 in. rear carried beneath the boot floor in a wind-down tray. drums. The system is power assisted by a vacuum Chromium-plated bumpers are fltted front and rear, servo and a "g"--conscious pressure--reducing valve Deluxe models having overriders as well. is fltted in the pipeline ahead of the rear brakes So that the world's press should all be in a pOSition to cancel rear wheel locking in emergency braking. to break the news of this new car together, BMC The front discs are self adjusting, while the rear invited parties of correspondents up to the wilds of shoes have square-headed adjusters in the back Scotland north of Inverness over a period of several plates. The handbrake operates on the rear wheels weeks prior to the public announcement. There the only. cars were available for close inspection and quite full The usual 12-volt positive earth electrical system is testing, but as main roads were taboo in the interests employed with a Lucas battery of 50 ampere/hour at of security most of the running was done on narrow a 20 hour rate. Double-dipping sealed beam head­ and rough secondary roads. lamps have a foot operated dipswitch, while there is Having been with the new 1800 over a matter of a headlamp flasher incorporated in the direction days the one aspect of it that shone above all other indicator switch. Side lights and front indicators are was the quite remarkable interior space; it must be situated together in one unit and on the sides of the remembered that this is achieved inside a modest front wings are small repeater flashers so that indi­ overall length. Howeve-r, on some of the Austin hand­ cation of directional movements can be seen from all outs the car is described as a 5/6 seater and this angles. The rear lamp clusters are mounted in a hori­ must be considered a slight exaggeration; three adults zontal position and the braking lights work with a will find plenty of room to lounge in the rear but the lower intensity at night (ie, when the side lights are split bench seat and the position of the gear lever on) as does the direction indicator switch warning make the seating of three in the front over a jouJ;ney light inside the car. The windscreen wipers are self­ of any length impractical. No doubt the Australian parking, twin horns are operated by a horn push in version will have bench front seat. The interior of the the centre of the steering wheel, the instrument car is very comfortable, the seats are well upholstered illumination is concealed, and there is an interior light and offer good support, bhe controls (but for the on the centre door pillar that can be worked by its handbrake) are nicely situated and the instruments own switch or by courtesy switches on the front doors. can be seen easily through the top of the two-spoke In the luggage boot there is also an interior light. steering wheel. The handbrake is of the pistol-type Bodywork is all-steel mono-construction, BMC attached to the underside of the parcel shelf. To reach claiming that it is probably the strongest body shell it entails leaning well forward, which when seat belts ever planned for quantity production. It is a six-light are being worn is difficult, to say the least. saloon offering a great amount of interior space inside The performance of the 1800 - what could be a modest overall length of only 13 ft 9 in. and width gauged from the time and terrain - is superior to of 5 ft 7 in.; naturally the greatest single contributor most family cars and equal to most of the current to the interior room is the positioning of the power popular 2-2~ litre saloons. The acceleration is achieved unit, which allows 70 percent of the car's length to be by having a power to weight ratio of 72 bhp per ton. used for passenger and luggage accommodation, and The new engine also gives a very flexible top gear the new layout for the Hydrolastic suspension at the which can be retained if desired down to walking speed rear helps provide for a 17 cu ft luggage boot. Rigid with no judder or shake; in top gear at 10 mph the

40 WHEELS, November, 19M nder the - can be accelerated quite smoothly to 30 mph In Austin and know Immediately who manufactured It. families onds, while further up the range the 20 to 40 mph The noise is not unduly loud, nor is it annoying on low shelf eleration figure in top is the same. Top speed is a journey, but it is getting to be a recognition symbol 'ed by the makers as about 90 mph. with BMC. bon-type is common with BMC cars the fuel consumption Changing gear on the Austin 1800 is unlike any­ led with received much attention from the designers, for thing that has gone before; there is no feel of rectly in company never produced a car for the family solidity as with direct remote control, there is no ~ switch, offers performance at the expense of economy; springy lever as with the early Minis, the terrible tch, and ey try to mix the two together and with the 1800 gear lever chatter of the 1100 seems to have 'been 'e Is low, has been done quite successfully. Performance overcome, but it still does not give tlhe Impression ,rging. A ~ be improved with extra tuning at the cost of of being right. It is not precise enough in its action, adscreen vier consumption, but the standard unit offers the cable operation allows a certain amount of whip ad crash =.at can only be described as the best of !both and if the gear will not select (as sometimes happens llminate . Ids. even with the baulk ring synchros) the gear lever red, run will move quite some distance as if stretching a ; of the Handling of the car is very similar to the 1100 strong rubber band. When tthe gears run easier after els. The very stiff bod~ structure shows up the ashtray, H. drolastic suspension in an even better light, for some mileage the changing will undoubtedly become nt seats. normal road surfaces it provides a delightful better, and the first all~ynchromesh BMC 4-speed ~ safety . .oning and on badly potholed roads there is a gearbox Is certainly a good selling feature. :ushable • ceable lack of jarring when moving at speed, Much to the chagrin of BMC service depots it r:.lch 1100 seems that the trend of reducing servicing is con­ is the only fault with the suspension. 1800 tch and G 'y winds f'rom any angle hardly affect the control tinuing, for the almost goes all the way and ld poly­ needs nothing at all done to it. The suspension is can be d with the wide wheelbase plus the firmness of the sealed for life, the cooling system is part sealed, into a pension when it is under load conditions roll on there is one oil filling point for engine, gearbox and ide over !"ners is a minimum. The steering is precise and final drive, tthere are no chassis grease nipples, only -e. t ; even at slow speeds when the weight of the nged at the handbrake cables need grease every 6000 miles, vindows er unit on the front wheels is at its optimum the wiTing Is in the form of a quick-release loom idth at undue force has to be used in tight turning. with plug and socket jOins. So fewer and fewer ~l locks Even with a lot of use of sound insulating material jobs need to be done at services and the owner bene­ lldproof f noise from the power unit inside the car is fits from lower and fewer charges. treated . takenly BMC fwd; the 1800 still has tlhe pro­ ~d glass .. 've whine that increases with road speed and he rear ~-"cb emanates from the fan and the gear train e is no ''''een clutch and gearbox input. Anybody who In the country where it excels: British pre-release tilatlng travelled any distance in eitlher a Mini or 1100 testing was done on wild and rocky roads in Scotland, d be blindfolded and taken for a ride in lJhe new where the new car showed it rode as well as the 1100. ghened ere are ion for LSsisted heel is n tray. drear,

.osltlon , BMC ilds of several Ire the lte full terests 1arrow

;ter of other ust be nodest hand­ d this adults ut the lever IUrney rallan of the stered r the ments ·spoke I-type reach belts

Id be ,or to lrrent lieved r ton. gear speed 1 the

WHEELS, November, 1964 41